Athlone ready for St Patrick’s Day celebrations

St Patrick’s Day is rapidly approaching, and the organisers of this year’s festival have a jam-packed line-up of events to keep the entire family entertained.

Pin on the shamrock, don the green and get stuck into the festivities on March 17!

The annual parade kicks off at 2.15pm from the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, and makes its way through town to Burgess Park, where the celebrations continue.

A duck race will be held on the River Shannon at 11am, followed by a display from Athlone Boat Club between 11.30 and 12pm.

Buskers will be playing at various locations throughout the town between 12 and 2.30pm.

The Civic Square will be taken over by a BMX stunt display from 12 noon to 2.30pm. The Square will also host The Hit Machine Drummers between 12.40 and 1pm, a meet-and-greet with the Offaly Wilde Cosplay Characters between 1pm and 2.30pm, and a vintage display between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

In Burgess Park there will be an entertainment tent between 12.30 and 1.30pm, an emergency services and army display between 12 midday and 1pm, music for children between 12pm and 1pm, a children’s pet farm between 1pm and 2pm, and a bouncy castle between 12 noon and 2pm.

Behind the Castle, 40 Watts take to the stage, providing live music between 1pm and 2pm.

At the Church Street taxi rank, the Bronte Stage School will show off their talents from 2pm.

At Athlone Town Centre, there will be face painting and more between 2pm and 5pm.